The Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum is supported by donations, membership dues and fund-raising events.

Three events are held yearly to raise money for further development of programs and events, exhibition preparation, agricultural equipment restoration, and many little “behind the scenes” costs. The Board of Directors and a corps of dedicated volunteers must raise over $50,000 a year to operate the museum.

Over 1500 people enjoy the Clam Chowder Dinner, held early in the year in the Orradre Building at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds. Featuring the famous Lloyd Atwater clam chowder recipe, diners get all-you-can-eat clam chowder, rolls, fresh salad and homemade pie for dessert. A wine and soda bar is available. Dinner guests get to place bids at the silent auction featuring a variety of antiques, photo replicas from the museum’s collection and homebaked pies and cakes. The Clam Chowder Dinner has become a community favorite.

The Ag Tour which is held annually visits a variety of agricultural enterprises around the valley. The tour provides an up-close look at modern agribusiness in action. After a continental breakfast at San Lorenzo Park , participants board luxury buses and visit sites around the Salinas Valley . Places visited in past years include a winery (with wine tasting), carrot harvesting operation, seedling nursery, duck farm, packing shed, cattle ranch with working stock dog demonstration, a fertilizer operation and much more. Tours include all meals plus refreshments on the buses.

4th of JULY in the PARK celebrates the 4th of July the old-fashioned way at San Lorenzo Park . Starting with a parade down Broadway in King City , the day is filled with games, entertainment, crafts, antique tractor and equipment displays and the Classic Car Show .

Each of these events are run entirely by volunteers and could not be held without the generosity and support of so many people from the community.